Summary

Untitled There's a good chance that anyone who's studied vector-based drawing during the last decade has read an IllustratorVisual QuickStart Guidein one of its many versions. Though this book has become the standard text in many design schools, it has evolved over the years along with the program itself. And with some of the radical changes in Illustrator 10 -- such as live distortion tools, dynamic data-driven graphics, and symbols to create repeating Web graphics and keep file sizes small -- the authors thoroughly revised this popular QuickStart Guide. Illustrator 10 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guideincludes information on all the latest features, a 24-page color section, and clearly marked locators to both new and improved features that can easily be found by simply flipping through the book. Best of all, it's delivered in a highly readable, entertaining, visual, and easy-to-navigate format. This affordable, task-based book may be the only one users need to create powerful graphics for print or Web.

Author Biography

Based in Connecticut, Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas have also written, designed, and illustrated Visual QuickStart Guides to Photoshop, QuarkXPress, LiveMotion, and Painter. Their books have been translated into 12 languages and have sold more than 1,000,000 copies worldwide. They have also taught at Pratt Manhattan, Cooper Union School of Art, the New School Computer Instruction Center, and Parsons School ofDesign.

Table of Contents

Illustrator Interface

Tools

Using the Toolbox

1

(1)

Toolbox

2

(1)

Tear-off toolbars

3

(1)

On the screen

The Illustrator screen: Mac OS

4

(2)

The Illustrator screen: Windows

6

(2)

The Illustrator menus

8

(2)

Using dialog boxes

10

(1)

Using the palettes

11

(8)

Color palette

12

(1)

Stroke palette

12

(1)

Swatches palette

13

(1)

Gradient palette

13

(1)

Character palette

14

(1)

Multiple Masters Design palette

14

(1)

Paragraph palette

15

(1)

Tab Ruler palette

15

(1)

Layers palette

16

(1)

Info palette

16

(1)

Align palette

17

(1)

Transform palette

17

(1)

Actions palette

18

(1)

Navigator palette

18

(1)

Links palette

19

(1)

Pathfinder palette

19

(4)

Brushes palette

20

(1)

Transparency palette

20

(1)

Styles palette

21

(1)

Appearance palette

21

(1)

SVG Interactivity palette

22

(1)

Attributes palette

22

(1)

Document Info palette

22

(1)

Magic Wand palette

23

(1)

Symbols palette

23

(1)

Mini-Glossary

24

(13)

Change the units for the current document

27

(1)

Multiple undos

28

(1)

Context-sensitive menus

28

(1)

How Illustrator Works

Vectors and rasters

29

(1)

How objects are made

30

(1)

The written word

31

(1)

Editing tools

31

(1)

How it all shapes up

32

(1)

Coloring

33

(1)

How it all stacks up

34

(1)

Keeping up with appearances

34

(1)

On the screen

35

(1)

When all is said and done

35

(2)

Startup

Creating new files

Launch Illustrator (Mac OS)

37

(1)

Launch Illustrator (Windows)

38

(1)

Create a new document

39

(5)

Change the artboard dimensions

40

(1)

Create a landscape page

41

(1)

Reposition the printable area on the artboard

42

(1)

Create a landscape artboard

42

(1)

Divide the artboard into multiple pages

42

(2)

Saving files

Save a file in Adobe Illustrator (.ai) format

44

(9)

Save an existing file

46

(1)

Save a copy of an existing file

46

(1)

Revert to the last saved version

46

(1)

Save a file as an EPS

47

(3)

Save a file as an Adobe PDF

50

(3)

Opening files

Open a file from within Illustrator

53

(1)

Ending a work session

Close a file

54

(1)

Quit/exit Illustrator

54

(1)

Views

Change zoom levels and views

Use the Navigator palette to change the zoom level of an illustration

55

(1)

Choose a preset zoom level

56

(1)

Change the zoom level using the Zoom tool

57

(1)

Change the zoom level using the keyboard

57

(1)

Change the view

58

(1)

Define a custom view setting

59

(1)

Choose a custom view setting

59

(1)

Rename or delete a custom view setting

59

(1)

Display an illustration in two windows

60

(1)

Change the screen display mode

61

(1)

Get around

Move an illustration in its window using the Hand tool

61

(1)

Move the illustration in its window using the Navigator palette

62

(1)

Objects Basics

Deleting objects

Delete one object

63

(1)

Delete a bunch of objects

63

(1)

Drawing geometric objects

Create a rectangle or an ellipse by dragging

64

(1)

Create a rectangle or an ellipse by specifying dimensions

64

(1)

Create a rounded rectangle

65

(1)

Round the corners of an existing object

66

(1)

Create a polygon by clicking

66

(1)

Create a polygon by dragging

67

(1)

Create a star by clicking

67

(1)

Create a star by dragging

68

(1)

Create a flare by entering values

69

(1)

Create a flare using the current Flare Options settings

69

(1)

Create a flare by dragging

70

(1)

Edit a flare

70

(1)

Draw using the Line Segment tool

71

(1)

Draw a line segment by entering values

71

(1)

Draw an arc segment

72

(1)

Draw an arc segment by entering values

72

(2)

Create a spiral by entering values

73

(1)

Create a spiral by dragging

73

(1)

Create a rectangular grid by dragging

74

(1)

Create a rectangular grid by entering value's

75

(1)

Create a polar grid by dragging

75

(1)

Create a polar grid by entering values

76

(1)

Sketching

Draw using the Pencil tool

77

(1)

Choose Pencil tool settings

78

(1)

Select/Copy

Selecting

The six selection tools

79

(4)

Select an object or objects

81

(1)

Add or subtract objects from a selection

81

(1)

Select anchor points or segments

82

(1)

Select using a command

83

(2)

Select using a lasso tool

84

(1)

Choose options for the Magic Wand tool

85

(1)

Use the Magic Wand tool

86

(1)

Select all the objects in an illustration

86

(1)

Deselect all objects

86

(1)

Select all the deselected objects, and vice versa

86

(1)

Moving

Move an object by dragging

87

(1)

Use smart guides to align objects

88

(2)

Hiding and locking

Hide the anchor points and direction lines of an object or objects

90

(1)

Hide/show an object's center point

90

(1)

Hide an object or objects

91

(1)

Redisplay all hidden objects

91

(1)

Lock an object or objects

91

(1)

Unlock all locked objects

91

(1)

Copying

Drag-copy an object

92

(1)

Copy an object by nudging

92

(1)

Copy or move objects from one document to another using the Clipboard

93

(1)

Offset a copy of a path

94

(1)

Transform

Basic transformations

95

(12)

Using the transformation tools

96

(1)

Use smart guides as you rotate, scale, or shear an object

97

(1)

Rotate an object using a dialog box

98

(1)

Rotate an object by dragging

98

(1)

Scale an object using a dialog box

99

(1)

Scale an object by dragging

100

(1)

Reflect (flip) an object using a dialog box

101

(1)

Reflect an object by dragging

101

(1)

Shear (slant) an object using a dialog box

102

(1)

Shear an object by dragging

102

(1)

Transform an object using its bounding box

103

(1)

Square off the bounding box

103

(1)

Use the Free Transform tool

104

(1)

Perform multiple transformations via Transform Each

105

(1)

Use the Transform Effect dialog box to apply editable effects

106

(1)

Creating blends

Blends are live!

107

(1)

Blend between objects using the Make Blend command

108

(1)

Release a blend

108

(1)

Choose or change blend options

109

(1)

Editing blends

110

(1)

Reverse the stacking position of objects in a blend

111

(1)

Reverse the location of objects in a blend

111

(1)

Blend objects using the Blend tool

112

(1)

Apply an existing blend to a path

113

(1)

Use a blend to create a 3-D effect

114

(1)

Reshape

The path building blocks

115

(1)

Corners and curves

Move an anchor point or a segment

116

(1)

Reshape a curve segment

116

(1)

Convert a corner anchor point into a smooth anchor point

117

(1)

Convert a smooch anchor point into a corner anchor point

118

(1)

Pinch a curve inward

118

(1)

Adding points

Add anchor points to a path manually

119

(1)

Add anchor points to a path using a command

120

(1)

Add to an open path using the Pencil tool

121

(1)

Add to a brush stroke path using the Paintbrush tool

121

(1)

Add a segment to an open path

121

(1)

Deleting points

Delete anchor points from a path

122

(1)

Quick reshaping

Erase part of a path using the Erase tool

123

(1)

Reshape a path using the Pencil or Paintbrush tool

123

(1)

Smooth part of an existing path

124

(1)

Choose settings for the Smooth tool

124

(1)

Apply the Zig Zag effect

125

(1)

Use the Twist tool

125

(1)

Use the Reshape tool

126

(1)

Exercise: Draw a paintbrush using the Reshape tool

127

(1)

Averaging points

Average points

128

(1)

Joining

Join two endpoints

129

(2)

Combine objects using a command

131

(1)

Slicing and dicing

Split a path

132

(1)

Split a path by deleting a point or a segment

132

(1)

Cut objects using the Divide Objects Below command

133

(4)

Cut an object into separate shapes

134

(1)

Exercise: Change a square into a star

135

(1)

Exercise: Draw a light bulb

136

(1)

Fill & Stroke

Missing and applying colors

Fills and strokes

137

(1)

QuickStart drag-color

138

(1)

Apply a fill or stroke of black or white

138

(1)

The palettes you'll use for coloring

139

(1)

Basic coloring steps

140

(1)

Save the current fill or stroke color as a swatch

140

(1)

Colors for print

141

(1)

Global colors

142

(1)

Colors for the Web

142

(1)

Choose a fill or stroke for a path before or after you create it

143

(1)

Change a document's color mode

144

(1)

Mix a process color

145

(1)

Color editing shortcuts

146

(1)

Color, Gradient, and None buttons

146

(1)

Add matching system or Web colors to the Swatches palette

147

(1)

Changing stroke attributes

Change the width of a stroke

148

(1)

Create a dashed stroke

149

(1)

Modify stroke caps and/or joins

150

(1)

Using the Swatches palette

Choose swatch display options

151

(1)

Load swatches from one Illustrator file to another

152

(1)

Restore default swatches to the Swatches palette

153

(1)

Delete swatches

154

(1)

Move a swatch or swatches

155

(1)

Duplicate a swatch

155

(1)

Resolving swatch conflicts

156

(1)

Merge spot color swatches

156

(1)

Changing colors

Select objects with the same paint attributes

157

(7)

Invert colors

157

(1)

Replace a swatch globally

158

(1)

Edit a color globally

158

(1)

Adjust or convert colors

159

(1)

Convert an object's colors to a different mode

159

(1)

Use the Paint Bucket tool

160

(1)

Choose paint attributes the Eyedropper picks up or the Paint Bucket applies

160

(1)

Use the Eyedropper tool

161

(1)

Saturate or desaturate colors

162

(1)

Blend fill colors between objects

162

(1)

Convert a process color into a spot color or vice versa

163

(1)

Colorize a 1-bit TIFF image

163

(1)

Creating fill patterns

Create a fill pattern

164

(1)

Use a rectangle to define a fill pattern

164

(1)

Modify a fill pattern

165

(1)

Create a geometric fill pattern

166

(1)

Expand a pattern fill into individual objects

166

(1)

Pen

Drawing with the Pen tool

What the Pen tool does

167

(1)

Draw a straight-sided object using the Pen tool

168

(1)

Draw continuous curves using the Pen tool

169

(2)

Convert smooth points into corner points as you draw them

171

(1)

Convert points in an existing object

172

(1)

Exercise: Convert a rectangle into a costume mask

173

(2)

Layers

Layer upon layer

175

(2)

Choose Layers palette options

176

(1)

Creating layers

Create a new top-level layer

177

(1)

Create a sublayer

178

(1)

Create a group

179

(1)

Activating layers

Activate a layer, sublayer, group, or object

180

(1)

Activate multiple items

181

(1)

Deactivate all layers

181

(1)

Selecting objects

Select all the objects in a layer

182

(1)

Deselect all the objects in a layer

182

(1)

Select one object

182

(1)

Select multiple objects on different layers

183

(1)

Working with groups

Select all the objects in a group

183

(2)

Select some objects in a group

185

(1)

Deselect an object in a group

185

(1)

Copy an object in a group

185

(1)

Move an existing object (or group) into a group

186

(1)

Add a new object to a group

187

(1)

Ungroup a group

187

(1)

Restacking

Restack a layer, group, or object

188

(1)

Restack an object in front of or behind another object

189

(1)

Restack using a command

189

(1)

Duplicating

Duplicate a layer, sublayer, or object

190

(1)

Copy objects between layers

190

(1)

Deleting

Delete a layer, sublayer, group, or object

191

(1)

Choosing layer options

Choose layer or object options

192

(2)

Lock/unlock layers or objects

194

(1)

Hide/show layers or objects

195

(3)

Change the view for a top-level layer

196

(1)

Display all top-level layers in Outline view except one

196

(1)

Create a template layer

197

(1)

Layer management

Locate an object on the Layers palette

198

(1)

Move layers, sublayers, groups, or objects to a new layer

198

(1)

Move objects to new, separate layers

199

(2)

Merging and flattening

Merge layers, sublayers, groups, and objects

201

(1)

Flatten artwork

202

(1)

Tracing

Use the Auto Trace tool

203

(1)

Trace letters manually

204

(2)

Manually trace over a placed image

206

(1)

Create Type

Creating type

The type tools

207

(1)

A few things to know about fonts

208

(1)

Create freestanding type

208

(1)

Create a type rectangle

209

(1)

Enter type inside an object

210

(1)

Make a whole horizontal type block vertical, or vice versa

210

(1)

Place type along an object's path

211

(1)

Adjust the position of type on a path

211

(1)

Importing type

Import type

212

(1)

Linking type

If your type overfloweth

213

(1)

Link overflow type to another type object

213

(1)

Change the order in which type flows from one object to another

213

(1)

Link overflow type to a copy of an existing object

214

(1)

Unlink two or more type objects

214

(1)

Remove one type object from a chain and keep the text stream intact

214

(1)

Copying type

Copy type and its object between Illustrator documents or between Illustrator and Photoshop

215

(1)

Move type from one object to another

215

(1)

Creating outlines

Create type outlines

216

(1)

Exercise: Type on a circle

217

(2)

Style & Edit Type

Selecting type

219

(3)

Select type and its object

220

(1)

Select a type object but not the type

221

(1)

Select the type but not its object

221

(1)

Applying type attributes

The type Palettes

222

(1)

Choose a font

223

(1)

Resize type

224

(1)

Change leading using the Character palette

225

(1)

Change leading using the keyboard

226

(1)

Kern or track type

226

(1)

Change case

227

(1)

Fit type to its container

228

(1)

Scale type horizontally and/or vertically

228

(1)

Restore normal scaling

228

(1)

Baseline shift type

229

(1)

Hang Punctuation

229

(1)

Change paragraph alignment

230

(1)

Change paragraph indentation

231

(1)

Adjust inter-paragraph spacing

232

(1)

Word processing

Find and replace text

233

(1)

Check spelling

234

(1)

Edit the user-defined dictionary

235

(1)

Export text

236

(1)

Find and replace a font

236

(2)

Arrange text

Arrange text in linked rows and columns

238

(1)

Create smart punctuation

239

(1)

Turn on auto hyphenation

240

(1)

Insert tabs into text

241

(1)

Set or modify custom tab stops

242

(1)

Copy type attributes

Copy type attributes using the Eyedropper or Paint Bucket

243

(1)

Choose which attributes the Eyedropper picks up or the Paint Bucket applies

244

(1)

Special effects with type

Wrap type around an object

244

(1)

Create type with a shadow

245

(1)

Slant a type block

246

(1)

Acquire

Opening and placing images

How images are acquired

247

(2)

Open a file from within Illustrator

249

(1)

Open a file from the Mac OS Finder or Windows Explorer

250

(1)

Place an image from another application into an Illustrator document

250

(1)

Display a placed image in Outline view

251

(1)

Reopening a file that contains linked images

251

(1)

Photoshop to Illustrator

252

(2)

Linking images

Edit a linked image in its original application

254

(1)

Replace one linked image with another

255

(1)

Locate a linked image in an Illustrator file

255

(1)

View file information for a linked image

256

(1)

Choose Links palette display options

256

(1)

Update a modified linked image

257

(1)

Convert a linked image to an embedded image

258

(1)

Drag-and-drop

Drag-and-drop an object

259

(2)

Brushes

Using brushes

261

(5)

Draw with the Paintbrush tool

262

(1)

Choose preferences for the Paintbrush

262

(1)

Apply a brush stroke to an existing path

263

(1)

Add brushes from other libraries

264

(1)

Remove a brush stroke from an object

265

(1)

Convert a brush stroke into outlined paths

265

(1)

Choose brush display options

266

(1)

Creating and modifying brushes

Create or modify a scatter brush

266

(2)

Create or modify a calligraphic brush

268

(2)

Create or modify an art brush

270

(1)

Delete a brush from the Brushes palette

271

(1)

Create tiles for a pattern brush

272

(1)

Create a pattern brush

273

(1)

Edit a pattern brush via its options dialog box

274

(1)

Edit a scatter, art, or pattern brush manually

275

(1)

Create a new brush library

276

(1)

Change the stroke options for an individual object

277

(1)

Duplicate a brush

278

(1)

Symbols

Using the Symbols palette

279

(1)

Place symbol instances into a document one at a time

280

(1)

Change the Symbols palette display

281

(1)

Use symbols from other libraries

281

(1)

Apply a different symbol to an existing instance

282

(1)

Create a symbol from an object in your artwork

282

(1)

Name or rename a symbol

283

(1)

Delete a symbol

283

(1)

Modify instances

284

(1)

Duplicate a symbol

284

(1)

Redefine a symbol

285

(1)

Using the symbolism tools

Use the Symbol Sprayer tool

286

(1)

Choose global properties for the symbolism tools

287

(1)

Choose options for the Symbol Sprayer tool

288

(1)

Add instances to a symbol set

289

(1)

Use the Symbol Shifter tool

290

(1)

Choose Symbol Shifter tool options

290

(1)

Use the Symbol Scruncher tool

291

(1)

Choose Symbol Scruncher tool options

291

(1)

Use the Symbol Sizer tool

292

(1)

Choose Symbol Sizer tool options

292

(1)

Use the Symbol Spinner tool

293

(1)

Choose Symbol Spinner tool options

293

(1)

Use the Symbol Stainer tool

294

(1)

Choose Symbol Stainer tool options

294

(1)

Use the Symbol Screener tool

295

(1)

Choose Symbol Screener tool options

295

(1)

Use the Symbol Styler tool

296

(1)

Choose Symbol Styler tool options

296

(2)

Expand an instance or a symbol set

298

(1)

Combine Paths

Shape modes

299

(1)

The shape mode buttons

299

(1)

Expand a compound shape

300

(1)

Release a compound shape

301

(1)

Pathfinders

301

(2)

Turn a stroke or an open path into a filled object

303

(1)

Compound paths

Create a compound path

303

(2)

Add an object to a compound path

305

(1)

Reverse an object's fill in a compound path

305

(1)

The fill rules

305

(2)

Release a compound path

306

(1)

Gradients

Gradient basics

307

(7)

Fill an object with a gradient

308

(1)

Create and save a two-color gradient

309

(1)

Assign new colors to a gradient

310

(1)

Add colors to a gradient

311

(1)

Use the Gradient tool

312

(1)

Spread a gradient across multiple objects

313

(1)

Gradient meshes

What is a gradient mesh?

314

(1)

Mesh building blocks

314

(1)

Convert an object into a gradient mesh using the Gradient Mesh tool

315

(1)

Convert an object into a gradient mesh using a command

316

(1)

Recolor a gradient mesh

317

(1)

Add mesh points or lines

318

(1)

Add or remove square points

318

(1)

Delete a mesh point

319

(1)

Reshape mesh lines

319

(1)

Expand a standard gradient into separate objects

320

(1)

Expand a radial or linear gradient into a gradient mesh

320

(1)

Appearances/Styles

Using appearances

321

(2)

Appearances and layers

322

(1)

Target appearances to a group or layer

322

(1)

Understanding the icons

323

(5)

Copy or move appearance attributes via the Layers palette

323

(1)

Apply appearance attributes

324

(1)

Edit or restack appearance attributes

325

(1)

Edit a stroke or fill appearance attribute

325

(1)

Remove a brush stroke from a stroke attribute

326

(1)

Apply multiple stroke or fill attributes

326

(1)

Duplicate an appearance attribute

327

(1)

Remove an appearance attribute

327

(1)

Remove all appearance attributes from an item

328

(1)

Choose appearance options for new objects

328

(2)

Blends and appearances

329

(1)

Using styles

330

(12)

Choose a view for the Styles palette

331

(1)

Apply a style to an object

332

(1)

Apply a style to a layer, sublayer, or group

332

(1)

Copy a style or an appearance attribute from one object to another

333

(1)

Break the link between a style and a layer, sublayer, group, or object

334

(1)

Create a new style using an object

334

(1)

Duplicate a style

335

(1)

Edit a style

336

(1)

Merge styles

337

(1)

Delete a style from the Styles palette

337

(1)

Add a style from a library or another document to the Styles palette

338

(1)

Create a style library

339

(1)

Expand an object's appearance attributes

340

(2)

Masks/Transparency

Clipping masks

Create a clipping mask

342

(1)

Select a whole clipping group

343

(1)

Select an individual clipping path or masked object

343

(1)

Select all the clipping masks in your illustration

343

(4)

Add an object to a dipping group

343

(1)

Restack a masked object within its clipping group

344

(1)

Copy a masked object

344

(1)

Lock a clipping group or an object within it

344

(1)

Unmask one object

345

(1)

Recolor a clipping path

345

(1)

Release a clipping group

346

(1)

Release a clipping set

346

(1)

Transparency

347

(1)

Change the opacity or blending mode of an object, group, or layer

348

(1)

Change the opacity or blending mode of only an object's fill or stroke